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Manchester United did not put their best performance of the season but came out of the match with three points thanks to a brace by Robin van Persie. They are placed 3rd in the table now having won five consecutive matches in the Premier League.
Southampton had more shots, possession, and chances, but they were left licking their wounds at full time at St. Mary’s Stadium. They have now lost three matches in a row and drop out of the Champions League spots.
After Persie scored through Fonte’s loose back pass, Graziano Pelle equalized for Southampton after going 592 minutes without finding the back of the net.
Robin van Persie restored Manchester United’s advantage in the second half with United’s second shot on target in the match. Wayne Rooney crossed the ball deep from a free kick and the Dutchman ghosted past the defenders unmarked and beat Fraser Forster for the second time to restore United’s advantage.
Southampton tried to get the equalizer, but could not find a way past David De Gea. Southampton had 15 shots compared to United’s 3 and Louis van Gaal said after the match that the performance was not good enough and Manchester United were lucky to get the win.
Watch the highlights here:
Southampton 0-1 Manchester United: Robin van Persie (12’)
Jose Fonte made a horrible error as he let Robin van Persie score for Manchester United to take the lead against the run of play.
The recently capped Portuguese tried to pass the ball back to his keeper but under-hit the pass and the Dutchman saw an opportunity to intercept the ball.
Robin van Persie was left with the easy task of putting the ball in the back of the net as Forster was caught in no man’s land and the United striker calmly put the ball past the keeper and wheeled away in delight.
Southampton 1-1 Manchester United: Graziano Pelle (31’)
Jack Cork’s powerful run past the Manchester United midfield put Southampton in a great position to equalize at the top of the United penalty box. The ball found it’s way outside to Shane Long who put a looping cross in and Dusan Tadic took a shot from near the penalty spot which took a deflection and found Pelle a few yards in front of goal.
The Italian put his laces through and smashed the ball past David De Gea to level the score for Southampton.
Southampton 1-2 Manchester United: Robin van Persie (71’)
After Nathaniel Clyne fouled Ashley Young on the left wing, Wayne Rooney stepped up to take the free kick.
The Manchester United and England captain swung the ball towards the far post of Fraser Forster's goal. Robin van Persie ran past the high Southampton line unmarked to the far post and used the outside of his left foot to push the ball between the keeper’s legs and into the goal.
